Measure E8: Pesticide Residues on Foods Frequently Consumed by Children

Percentage of fruits, vegetables, and grains with detectable residues of organophosphate pesticides

Between 1994 and 2006, the percentage of food samples with detectable organophosphate pesticide residues ranged between 8 percent and 29 percent. The highest detection rates were observed during 1996 and 1997, while the lowest detection rate was observed in 2006.
Between 1993 and 2004, the amount of organophosphate pesticides used on foods most frequently consumed by children declined by 52 percent, from 25 million pounds to 12 million pounds.¹
In 1999-2000, EPA imposed new restrictions on the use of the organophosphate pesticides azinphos methyl, chlorpyrifos, and methyl parathion on certain food crops and around the home, due largely to concerns about potential exposures of children.